Firearm



Feb. s, 1944. 'Jg B, SWLEANY 2,341,298

` FIREARM Filed Dec. so, i939 zzz, Nuf' lBY TTR

Patented Feb. 8, 1944 FIREARM John B. Sweany, Sonoma, Calif., assignor to Remington Arms Company, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application December 30, 1939,`Serial No. 311,774

11 Claims.

This invention relates to firearms and particularly the re control mechanism thereof.

In the use of shoulder Yand hand guns it is desirable that the action of the trigger and the nring mechanism be such that the trigger pull will Y `be smooth and that the person using the same as he pulls the trigger will not be aware of the precise moment at which the gun will fire. Previously this has required a smoothness of points of contact of the operating parts or a. design that eliminates notches or uneven places over which one of the parts must be pulled by the trigger. It is likewise necessary that a suflicient force be required to be exerted upon the trigger to insure safety in the use of the weapon so that it will not fire before the user wishes to re the gun or has it aimed properly. For safe purposes it is generally considered that a trigger pull of three (3) pounds is the minimum desirable. It is also necessary that the parts be so arranged and constructed that the gun will not be accidentally fired by a sudden jar or by dropping. The invention contemplates an improvement in previous triggers by the provision of a mechanism in which the trigger has a very small travel and in which there is no perecptible movement after the trigger has been pulled sufiiciently to release the ring mechanism. Excess movement after the trigger has released the ring mechanism and the free movement accompanying the same, due to the fact that the ten" sion of the striker spring and the friction of the surfaces is not being pulled against, causes the user of the gun frequently to pull the gun momentarily oli the desired aiming point at the instant of firing, resulting in poor marksmanship.

The movement of the mechanism in the operation of this invention is such as to give the desired smooth trigger pull with the minimum of machining and ttingfof the parts.

With these and other objects in view the in-' vention comprises certain novel devices and arrangements of devices, representative embodiments of which are shown in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view partially in section of a conventional rearm showing one form of the fire control mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation view partially in section of the trigger mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation view partially in section of a modification of the trigger mechanism of the invention.

Fig. lis a modication of the sear shownin rig. 3. Y

In the conventional rearm, a striker or other impact means, usually operated by a spring, is used tocause a firing pin to strike the primer of a cartridge placed in the chamber of the gun. In a bolt action riiie, for example, operation of the parts, such as the opening of the bolt, pulls the striker backward and compresses a spring. A sear` holds the striker or impact tiringk device in a retracted or cocked position in readiness for release thereof to fire the cartridge. The sear in turn is operatively connected to a trigger in such a way that when the trigge;` is pulled the sear releases the impact firing means, allowing it to go forward to cause the cartridge to be iired. The sear, which contacts the striker or impact ring device in this invention, is slidably movable away from the impact device under the stress of the spring of the impact ring device to thereby release the impact device. A trigger and associated mechanism is used to hold this sear in its elective position until the trigger is pulled. Means are employed to limit the motion of the trigger. so that the movement thereof will be very small and the motion after the sear has been released will be substantially nil. It is to be understood that where the word striker is used herein that it means any spring pressed firing device used to cause the ring of the cartridge. It is also to be understood that the fire control and trigger mechanism disclosed herein may be applied'to any of the conventional type rearms, either shoulder or hand guns.

Referring now to Fig. 1 in detail, IIl is a conventional barrel having a chamber II into which a cartridge I2 may be inserted, a rimre cartridge of the conventional type being shown for purposes of illustration. A ring pin I3 is vcapable of being driven forward byva spring I 4 acting through the striker or other means I5, upon release o f the striker by the sear I6. As pointed out, this sear may contact any type of spring pressed mechanism used to re the cartridge. For purposes of illustration, a conventional rotating bolt I'I is shown which' contains the striker and spring parts just described and which can be rotated and drawn backwardly to extract the cartridge, eject it, and to open the chamber` for the loading of new cartridges, either by hand or from a magazine 60. The receiver I8 has the barrel I 0 fastened thereto in any conventional manner, the receiver carrying the bolt and its component parts just described. A stock I9 is provided which has the rearwardly extending part 2B formed in a conventional manner, and onto which the receiver and associated parts are held by the bolts 2i and 22. A trigger guard 23 is provided which surrounds the trigger A frame 25 is fitted into the receiver and aperture in the stock, said frame carrying the trigger, sear and related parts about to be described. It is to be understood, however, that the frame is not essential and that the parts may be mounted directly in the receiver and the use of the word frame herein is to be so construed. The sear guide pin 26 may be used to support the frame in position in the gun, and at the forward' end of the frame a sear housing pin A2l maybey employed to hold the front endof the framel in position, and may also have other desired functions such as holding theejector in position.

striker has been cocked and the surface 33 of the striker is engaging the sear I6, thus holding the spring I4 compressed, pulling of the trigger 24 will disengage end 33 of the trigger from the tail 34 of the sear. This will allow the striker spring I4 to push the sear I6 away from the line of movement of the striker and thereby disengage the sear from the striker and allow-thespring I4 to push the striker toward the cartridge and with it the iiring pin I3. The sear guide 28 and sear guide 26, in conjunction with the surface 32 Referring now particularly to Fig. 2, which is a sectional view of the trigger mechanism shown in Fig. l, the sear I3 is slidably movable in the frame 25, it being partially guided in its sliding `movement by the sea-r guide and stop pin- 28. The angle ofthe face 29A ofsear Iii-is madesuch that the force of the spring I4', acting through striker I5 and surface 3Il of; the striker, will tend to force the sear downwardly;- or away from the striker and to ineffective position, the angle of the surfaces being greater than thegangle of repose. Sear I5 has a depending lug 3I` whichv contacts and is guided by face 32 of' the Aframe 25. The sear guide pin 23, guide pin 26 and lug 3! cooperating with face 32, serve to guide the sear IB in its downward movement under the stress of the striker spring I4 when the sear is released from engagement with the trigger end 33 upon pulling trigger 24, the trigger end 33 engaging the tail 34 ofY the sear I3. It is evident that the searmay be guided in other equivalent manners in' its sliding movement. The triggerl 24 is pivoted at 35 and has a spring 36 as an integral part thereof which can be made by machining a slot to separate the free end thereofv from the upstanding part 31 of the trigger. If necessary, the spring can be heat treated to give it the desired spring properties. An adjusting screw 38 with a conical point 39 serves as the abutment for the spring 3S and, as the screw is turned inwardly, it can be seen that a greater tension is placed upon the spring 36, thereby requiring a greater pull to be exerted upon the trigger 24 in order to release the'sear. A Sear spring 4U is used to cause the sear I5 to be raised to its engaging position after the sear has released the striker or after the striker has been retracted and cocked. The angle of contact ofthe surface 33 of the striker I5-with the sear I6-at 29 is made such that only part of the force of the springis transmitted downwardly and therefore transmitted from the tail 34 of the sear to the trigger end 33. The sear spring 40-also tends to lessen the load between these faces. In this manner the movement of the trigger will be smooth and in conjunction with the triggerr spring 36 the desirable pull to be exerted thereon may be obtained. A trigger adjusting screw 4I is provided" that limits the return movement of the trigger 24, and a trigger stop adjusting screw 42 is provided` that limits the movement of the trigger as itis pulled to iired position. The angle of contact between the trigger end 33 and tail 34 of the sear may be made such that there is sub.- stantial sliding movement as the trigger is pulled. However, such. surfaces may be of any desired angle, but the contact substantially as shown is to be preferred. In operation, assuming that the of the frame 25, serve to guide the sear IB in its movement away from the line of movement of the striker I5 such that the sear I6 has a sliding motion in substantially a straight line, the

tension of springv I4 being greater than that of sear spring 40 and the angles of contact of the striker and sear being such that upon disengagement of the trigger end 33 with tail 34, the sear I6 will be moved downwardly against the tension ofY spring 43. The trigger stop adjusting screw 42 is adjusted so that the trigger willnot substantially move after the triggerhas disengaged the sear I6, and the trigger adjusting screw 4I may be so adjusted that there is just suflicient contact to hold the sear in its effective position. Adjustment may be made by releasing trigger stop screw 42 from contact with the trigger and then advancingl trigger adjusting screw 4I until the searl I6 releasesthe striker I5. Then the trigger stop adjusting screw 42 can be advanced until it contacts, the` trigger, thereby limiting the movement of the trigger 24 as it is pulled to the point where it releasesthe striker. It is thenl necessary to retract screw 4I so that the proper amount of contact will be obtained between trigger endV 33 and tail' 34, making this contact as small or as great as desired. The correct tension on the trigger is obtained, as previously described, by adjusting screw38.

It can be seen that as soon as the trigger end has been disengaged from tail 34 that the Sear will be carriedto its ineiective position, and, as the trigger stop screw can be adjusted to arrest motion ofthe trigger immediately upon such rethat of the contact desiredy between trigger end 33 and tail 34 and an almost imperceptible, motion of the trigger can be obtained thereby.

As pointed out, this is a desirable feature and yet the gun is perfectly safe and there is no danger of jarring off the s ear, because the sear I3 is forced downwardly against trigger end 33 and the angles are such as to make the trigger mechanism self locking. The contact between trigger end 33 andV tail 34r being substantially a sliding one and the load thereon being light, there is a smooth action resulting therefrom. In order to remove the bolt from the gun,'it is merely necessary to pull the trigger, which will release the sear and then pull the bolt backward which, when the bolt stop BI strikes the forward face of the upstanding part of the sear I6, will force the Sear downwardly to allow withdrawal of the boit.

Referring now to Fig. 3, another modification of the invention is disclosed. This may be inserted in place of the trigger mechanism shown in Fig. 1. A frame 43, similar to frame 25 of Figs. l and 2, but which may be of slightly different shape, contains the trigger mechanism gef.

shown in Fig. 3. The sear 44 is guided in its movement by the sear stop pin 45 and sear guide pin 45. The striker engages the sear at face' 41 and the angle B between surface 4B of the sear and a vertical plane through stop pin 45 is greater than the angle of repose so that as the striker spring acts against the seal1 after the sear has been released, the sear will be forced away from the line of movement of the striker thereby releasing the striker for its movement to iire the cartridge. As the sear starts to move downwardly, the angle betweenthe sear face 41 and the striker face will increase thereby assisting in the release of the striker from the Sear and increasing the force acting downwardly on the sear. The angles and sear spring are such that as in Figs. 1 and 2, the pressure exerted between the roller and sear is small. A pivoted auxiliary sear. 49, pivoted at 50, is provided to keep the sear in its effective position until released by the trig- The point of contact of the pivoted sear vwith the surface l of the seal` is by means of a roller 52. A spring 53, one end of which engages the pivoted sear 4S, tends to rotate the pivoted sear in an anti-clockwise direction or to eiiective position. The other end of spring 53 acts against sear 44 to force it into eiective position thereby blocking the striker and holding it in cocked position. The trigger 54 is pivoted at 55 in the frame 43 and has an extension 56 bearing against an arm 51 of the pivoted sear 49. The trigger stop screw 58 is provided to limit the travel of the trigger as it is pulled, and a trigger adjusting screw 59 is provided to limit the motion of the trigger upwardly and thus to adjust -the length of pull necessary to be exerted upon the trigger. This latter is due to the fact that as the screw 59 is retracted, the spring 53 tends to rotatethe pivoted sea-r 49 in an anti-clockwise direction so that the further the screw 59 is retracted, the more pull will be necessary on trigger 54 to release the pivoted sear 49 from engagement with the sear 44. Pins 26 and 21 have a purpose similar in this form to that shown and disclosed in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It can be seen Ythat the ratio of the fulcrurrr arm from the pivot 50 of the pivoted sear to the point of Contact of arm 56 of the trigger to the lever arm from the pivot 5l) to the point of contact of the roller 52 with seal' 44 is such that only a very slight movement of the trigger will move the roller a greater amount than the trigger is moved. In the operation of the modiiication shown in Fig. 3, assuming that the bolt and striker have been retracted and placed in the cocked position, a pressure on trigger 54 will cause the arm 55 to press downwardly on arm 51 of the pivoted sear 49, thereby moving pivoted sear 49 in a clockwise direction against the stress of spring 53 until the point is reached in which the roller 52 will be disengaged from surface 5l of the sear. At this point or slightly before, the pressure of the striker spring acting on sear 4:1 at point 41 and due to the angle between the surface E and the sear stop 45, will result in the sear 44 being forced away from the line of travel of the ring device and to ineffective position. It is seen that as the sear starts to move downwardly, it will rapidly push the -pivoted scar 49 in a clockwise direction so that the moment the pivoted scar starts to operate, the movement of sear 44 will be rapid. The movement of the pivoted sear independently of the trigger will take place immediately after the line from the pivot 50 perpendicular to surface 5I has been passed. The adjustment of the stop screw 58 to limit the motion of the trigger is similar to that of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the stop screw 59 is moved againstthe trigger arm 5B while the stop screw 58 is retracted until the mechanism is released. At this point, the stop screw 58 is brought against the trigger arm, and then the adjusting screw 59 is retracted sufiiciently to allow the pivoted sear to return to its eiective position, holding the seal' in its eifective position.

If the parts be mounted in a frame as shown, it is apparent that they may be assembled and adjusted in part independently of the gun into which they are to be placed.

It is evident that the engaging surfaces of the various parts may be made square if desired and without particular care in the finish thereof because of the sliding action of the parts. The corner of surface 5I of Fig. 3 may be rounded, as at 62 (Fig. 4) ,if desired.

It can be seen therefore that a trigger mechanism has been provided which is easily constructed and assembled and yet has all of the desirable attributes of a trigger mechanism required on a weapon to be used for accurate marksmanship. The smoothness of pull required, the small force existent between the sliding parts to be disengaged, the ease of adjustment, the small travel necessary, the lack of overtravel and the inherent safety of the trigger make it particularly desirable for weapons to be used where accurate marksmanship is required.

It is to be understood that the specific embodiments of the invention described are typical and illustrative only, and are susceptible to embodiment in a variety of forms, all falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a firearm, a spring biased striker; a slidably movable sear therefor normally engaging said striker, the engaging surfaces of the striker and sear being constructed and arranged so that the thrust of said spring tends to move the sear to ineifective position; a pivoted restraining means for the sear, said restraining means having a roller at the point of contact with the seal'; a pivoted trigger engaging the restraining means whereby movement of the trigger will cause the roller to move from restraining position and thus allow the sear to move to ineiective position under the influence of the spring.

2. In a firearm, a spring biased striker; a slidably movable sear therefor normally engaging the striker; guide means for the sear, the contacting angle of the sear with said guide means and the striker being such that the spring tends to move the sear to ineffective position; a pivoted restraining means for the sear; a roller mounted on the restraining means for contacting the sear; and a pivoted trigger for operating the pivoted restraining means to release the Sear.

lrestraining means for the Sear; a roller mounted on the restraining means for contacting the Sear; a spring between the sear and the restraining means urging both into eiective position, said spring ,being weaker than the first mentioned spring; a pivoted trigger for operating the pivoted restraining means to release the sear` 4'. In a firearm, a spring biased striker; a slidably movable sear therefor normally engaging `said striker; guide means for the sear, the, contacting angle of the Sear with said guide means and striker being such that the spring tends to move the sear to ineffective position; a pivoted restraining means for the Sear; a roller mounted on the restraining means for contacting the sear; a pivoted trigger for operating the pivoted restraining means to release the sear; and adjusting means on each side of the trigger to adjustably limit movement of the trigger.

5. In a firearm, a pivoted trigger therefor having a spring integral therewith; and an adjustable conical shaped abutment for the free end of the spring to adjust the tension of the spring.

6. In a firearm, an impact firing device; a spring tending to move said impact device to firing position; restraining means having forwardly and rearwardly facing planar guide surfaces and a surface normally engaging the impact firing device, said restraining means being movable bodily relative to and away from said impact firing device; fixed spaced pins engaging said forwardly Yand rearwardly facing edges of said restraining means with a line contact` to slidablyI guide the bodily movement thereof, the impact firing device and the restraining means being so constructed and arranged that the restraining means is urged away from the firing device and to ineffective position under the stress of said spring; and a pivoted trigger, one end of which releasably holds the restraining means in ineffective position, said trigger having a spring integral therewith.

7. In a firearm, an impact firing device; a spring tending to move said impact device to a firing position; restraining means normally engaging the impact firing device, said restraining means moving bodily relative to the impact ring device; means to guide the movement of the restraining means, the impact firing device and the restraining means being so constructed and arrangedv that the restraining means is urged away from the firing device and into ineffective position under the stress of the spring; a pivoted trigger, one end of which releasably holds the restraining means in effective position; a spring intagral with the trigger, said spring having a free end; and an adjustable conical shaped abutment for the free end of the spring to adjust the tension thereof.

8; In a firearm, an impact firing device; a spring tending to move said impact device to firing position; restraining means normally engaging the impact firing device, said restraining means having forwardly and rearwardly facing substantially straight guide surfaces; a pivoted trigger, one end of which releasably holds the restraining means in effective position; adjusting means on each side of the trigger to adjustably limit movement of the trigger; and fixed spaced arcuate surfaced pins having substantially a line contact with said guide surfaces respectively, the impact firing device, the restraining means including the guide surfaces, and the fixed spaced pins being so constructed and arranged that the restraining means is bodily moved away from the firing device to ineffective position under the stress of. the spring upon operation of said trigger, there being sliding engagement of the guide surfaces and the fixed spaced means.

9. In a firearm, an impact firing device; a spring tending to move said impact device. to firing position; restraining means normally engaging the impact firing device, the angle of engagement being such that the spring tends to move the restraining means to ineffective position; an operable trigger releasably holding said restraining means in effective position; a forwardly facing substantially straight guide surface on said restraining means; a fixed arcuate surfaced pin slidably engaging said guide surface with a line contact to restrain forward movement of said restraining means; a rearwardly facing substantially straight guide surface on said restraining means; and a second fixed arcuate surfaced pin slidably engaging said rearwardly facing guide surface with a line contact to restrain rearward movement of said restraining means, the impact firing device', the restraining means including the guide surfaces, and the arcuate surfaced pins being so constructed and arranged that the restraining means is bodily moved away from the firing device to ineffective position under the stress of the spring upon operation of said trigger, there being sliding engagement of the guide surfaces and the pins.

10. In a firearm, an impact firing device; a spring tending to move said impact device to firing position; restraining means normally engaging the impact firing device, said restraining means having forwardly and rearwardly facing substantially straight guide surfaces; a pivoted trigger, one end of which releasably holds the restraining means in effective position; fixed spaced arcuate surfaced pins having substantially a line contact with said guide surfaces respectively; and a third substantially straight guiding surface on said restraining means slidably contacting a fixed part of the firearm, the impact firing device, the restraining means, the guide surface, the fixed spaced pins, and the fixed part of the firearm being so constructed and arranged that the restraining means is bodily moved away from the firing device to an ineffective position under the stress of the spring upon operation of said trigger, there being a sliding engagement of the guide surfaces and the fixed spaced means.

11. In a firearm, a frame; an impact firing device; a spring tending to move said impact device to firing position; a sear having a surface normally engaging said firing device and having forwardly and rearwardly facing substantially straight guide surfaces, said forward guide surface being angularly disposed relative to the firing device engaging surface; spaced arcuate surfaced pins mounted on said frame enga-ging said guide surfaces with a line contact for slidably guiding the sear from the firing device engaging position to an ineffective position; and a releasable trigger means for holding said scar in firing device engaging position.

J CHN B. SW EANY. 

